WELLNESS | 10 Things to Accomplish in 2018

10 Things to Accomplish in 2018

I spent a full month deciding what I would like to get done in 2018. Part of that involved reflecting on the past year. I looked at which of my goals I nailed (treat my body like the temple, nurture important relationships) and which ones were quickly abandoned (learn to play the guitar better). If you’d like to see the complete list from last year, here are my 10 Things to Accomplish in 2017. Some of those accomplishments are rolling over into this year in different forms. By posting this, I hope to achieve two things. 1. hold myself accountable for the duration of the year. And 2. help inspire someone else. It’s difficult to distill down which things are worthy of focus, so hopefully this will help you identify something you want to improve upon. With that, I give you my 10 Things to Accomplish in 2018.

STAY ORGANIZED

My desk is marginally cleaner than last year. However, I have loose papers all over my office. It is the definition of CHAOS. Fortunately, I have a few ideas on how this year will be different.

First off, I’m trying out a new agenda by MiGoals. The first few pages are all about reviewing the previous year and setting goals for this one. BOOM! Plus, there’s a separate book to break down each goal and follow it through in chunks. This is what I need to force myself to stay on task. I am becoming a full fledged GOAL DIGGER this year. I’m going to get my taxes done ahead of time like a total boss. You watch me.

Second of all, I want to streamline my contact list and get my invoicing down to an art. I’ve decided to switch my archaic methods and convert everything to Google Docs. That way, I can access all my vital information from any device, anywhere!

Action Items

File all my receipts and invoices as I get them to avoid the dreaded shoebox of paper come tax time.

Recycle paper the second the information becomes redundant (why do I have grocery lists from months ago!?)

RESPECT TIME! Working from home without a schedule can mean putting things off till the very last second. Not anymore. I’m a gal who’s going to respect time this year and not squander it falling into a Youtube vortex of cute kitten videos.

STAY ACTIVE

Last year was a mixed bag in terms of fitness. For the things I did accomplish, I have a couple of people to thank. Andrea Rice at Lululemon YEG is one of them. She helped inspire me (and outfit me) to get my run on – bless her heart. (see my post 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Running). Tim Gourlay who showed me the magic that is Fitset, Edmonton’s first multi-studio fitness pass. I have been trying out classes I normally would never have dreamed of checking out – Soar, hot yoga, and even a weekly HIIT class. Lastly, my partner Jesse who has been accompanying me to these classes, holding me accountable, and encouraging me on my running journey.

Action Items

Continue to use my Fitset pass 3-4 times per week hitting up all the classes I love and challenging myself with new ones. (Side note: for anyone interested in trying this service use my code “PrettySecrets20” to get $20 off your first month’s Fitset pass!) Meet me at a HIIT class and let’s get winded together!

Make my running a year-round activity.

Discover new ways to stay active all year round

Create a network of workout buddies to hold me accountable!

On the right is my first run ever, solo, in the river valley. It was terrifying and liberating. It’s only gotten better since then, especially with how far I’m able to run in an hour! I may not be running Bloomsday like when I was 17, but I’m making progress!

EAT MORE PLANT BASED

Last year I read a book that has changed my life forever more. It has changed the way I look at food. I’ve returned to my vegetarian ways and have been seriously questioning the necessity of dairy in my life. This lifestyle change deserves a whole post on its own. In short, eating plant based is so much better for my health so it’s something I am working towards.

READ MORE

Last year I made a goal to read 20 books. I was just shy of that number despite spending the majority of the year in a major literary drought. This year, I want to double that and add a few additional goals within this goal. I’d like to vary the books I read to include: fiction, self improvement, and biographical. It’s so easy for me to get hyper focused on one genre and neglect my other interests. Not this year!

Action Items

Be the information ninja I know I am and use my library card as much as possible

Rotate between genres after every finished book

Possibly join a book club or start a book club? Anyone interested in that?

FIND SOME STILLNESS

Part of the allure of running is having the excuse to spend time in the river valley. Connecting with nature during an otherwise hectic week is essential. Last year, I said I was going to meditate; I did not even begin. This year, I’m setting aside time and making it happen. I spend so much time staring at screens and splitting my attention. This is no way to live a balanced life!

Action Items

Set aside time every day to use my Muse headband with guided meditation

Find more ways to connect with nature all year round (running, cross country skiing, snowshoeing etc)

Put my phone down more and be present

RUNNING ON EMPTY

I have spent one too many years cursing at a laptop that’s on the brink of being full. The time and energy I have wasted dealing with devices that are beyond expiration is astonishing. This is the year I have finally said no to this. I went and bought the laptop I’m currently typing this on (shout out to my dear Greg at Apple for helping me out). I intend on running a tight ship from now on.

Action Items

Back up old files on to my external hard drive once a week

Update my desktop when it financially makes sense

Delete useless digital clutter before it becomes overwhelming

MAKE MY HOUSE A HOME

I’ve been in my condo for two years and it is still….. quite empty. The renovations are finally complete! However, I haven’t made time to actually outfit it. At the end of the day, it’s a giant white box and has zero personality aside from the smoked glass mirrors from the 70s. I think I’ve maxed out the time in which I can justify living with only a desk and my bed.

Action Items

Start unpacking my life!

Curate the space carefully with thoughtfully picked out pieces

Finally share my space on the blog!

TRAVEL MORE

Last year I went back to London to trace the footsteps of my former life. It was such a treat traipsing around reliving my old neighbourhood. Reminiscing was wonderful, but discovering new places was equally as great. In addition to revisiting old favourite places (Arizona, Gabriola, London), I also explored some new places. Iceland and Morocco were two new places I finally went to, both of which were wonderful in such different ways. I always feel the most me when traveling and seeing new places. That feeling is something I want to continue to chase.

Action Items

Watch flight sales and book on a whim, figure out the details later

Write a list of dream places to go and slowly start crossing them off

STAY INSPIRED

Last year was marginally better than the year prior. Between travelling and reading more, I managed to find bursts of creativity. The drawing every day did not last more than a month. Truth be told, I just asked my partner “How do I stay inspired?” He laughed at me. It is always something I continue to strive for, something to be sought out on the regular, a muscle that must be worked on otherwise you lose it. It’s easy to get caught up in mundane details and forget about what stokes your creative fire.

Action Items

Read, write, draw as much as I can

Watch old films to dig up old new ways of dressing, doing, creating

Be pickier about the media I consume (aka less Housewives)

GET IT ON TAPE

The idea of populating my Youtube channel with travel and beauty content has been percolating in my mind for years. I talk about it. I come up with ideas. And that’s where it ends. Anti-climatic if you ask me. In my travels, I have accumulated an extensive collection of video clips that are just waiting to become something. It is TIME! The thought of editing everything is the thing that has held me back. That and not having enough space on any of my computers to edit a video without crashing. Half of the problem has been solved!

Action Items

Make a hard deadline to edit two videos per month using old footage

Once it becomes a habit, up that goal and continue to hone my skills editing

Share these videos whether or not they’re “perfect” – done is better than perfect when you are goal digging

10 Things to Accomplish in 2018

One little piece of advice is to keep an ongoing list during the year of all the good things and wins that happen during the year. It gives you a better idea of how the year actually went. It also helps to focus on all of the positive things, big or small, you may have forgotten about. What are you hoping to accomplish this year?